Christian Video Games

• • Women 18 or older now comprise 34% of all gamers. 1

  • 48% of game purchasers are female. 1

  • Teen females spend 30% of their gaming time playing action/adventure genres. 2

  • Over 90 percent of children ages 2 to 17 now play video or computer games regularly. 3

  • 87 percent of children ages 7 to 12 identified playing games as their favorite online activity. 3

Men and Women ages 18 – 29 will benefit greatly from having a fun and exciting alternative to non-Christ centered video games.

• • 65%  of this market rarely or never pray with others, and 38% almost never pray by themselves either. 4

  • 65% of this market rarely or never attend worship services. 4

  • 67% of this market don't read the Bible or sacred texts. 4

  • 68% did not mention faith, religion or spirituality when asked what was "really important in life." 4

  • 36% rarely or never read the Bible. 4

  • 40% say this is their responsibility to share the Gospel. 4

  • 65% percent identify themselves as Christian. 5

  • 20% never pray. 5

  • 34% percent read the Bible or other sacred texts at least once a month. 5

  • 80% rarely or never meet with others at least monthly in a small group to study the Bible or other sacred texts. 5

  • 53% disagree that the Bible is the written Word of God and is totally accurate in all it teaches. 5

The games will reach beyond men and women 18 – 34 years of age, and will reach families.

• • The “Gamer Generation,” is 90 million strong. 6

  • Over three-fourths of games rated “E” for “Everyone” contain violent content.  In half of these games, violence was significant to the plot. 6

  • Most of the top-selling video games (89 percent) contain violent content, with much of it serious in nature. 6

  • Exposure to violent content in computer and video games has been linked to an increase in aggressive attitudes, values, and behavior in children, according to the American Medical Association (AMA). 6

  • Many games glamorize and reward extreme violence and denigrate women. 6

  • 78% of boys reported that M-rated games (intended for those 17 and older) are among their top five favorite games. 6

  • 40% say their favorite game is rated M. 6

  • 77% of boys own M-rated games; 20% reporting they purchased an M-rated game without their parent’s knowledge. 6

Gamer Benefits

Both Christian and Non-Christian gamers will benefit from playing a family friendly Christ centered video game. 

• • Benefits to playing video games include:

    • Improved visual-attention skills, spatial skills, and computer-literacy skills. 6

    • Enhance business skills: Creative problem solving, open communication, risk-taking, and leadership skills. 6

  • Families will have a fun and exciting alternative to M rated games.

  • Christian gamers will have a tool to witness to their non-Christian friends.

  • East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, found that some games reduces the body's response to tension and stress. 7

  • Iowa State University found that while violent games lead to increased hostility, pro-social game players were more helpful to peers and less likely to fight at school. 7

  • Steven Johnson, found many indications that video games can be a great cognitive workout. 7

  • Provides the gamer a family friendly Christ centered positive experience.

Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Over 10 million PC users claim Christianity and over 37 million do not.  There are little or no Christian based PC games with the fun and excitement of games like Halo 3, Gears of War, Assassins Creed, Call of Duty, Elder Scrolls, Tomb Raider, etc.  Salvation Studios will provide  games that fill the need for exciting action packed games with stunning graphics and great game play that does not violate Christian and family values.  Also, Christian gamers will have a tool to witness to friends by having the game explain the Christian principles of redemption and the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

• • Parents want PC games that are family friendly (no gore), and gamers want action, excitement, and stunning graphics in their games.

  • There are a large number of video games generating over $20 million in revenue; however some of the games have a violent theme, and lack Christian principles.

    • There are games in the market with Christian principles, but they lack the excitement that the majority of video gamers desire.

    • Salvation Studios will develop games with action, stories, game play, and graphics desired by the market with a strong focus on Christian principles. This satisfies the desire for Christians and parents who desire fun and exciting video games without the violence and sometimes anti-Christian or anti-family values displayed in secular video games.

  • Salvation Studios plans to provide games that:

    • Focus on both Christians and non-Christians, and are entertaining enough to be played by both Christian and non-Christian gamers.

    • Can be used to witness to non-Christians by providing them games they will enjoy playing, that also present the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

    • Action based games: The games will be action based and not simply trivia, or a game where there is no conflict.

    • Designed for the Teen and adult market (the largest video game market): The primary gamer market is males 18 – 34 years of age. Salvation Studios will create games that appeal primarily to this market (these games are also played by younger players).

    • Family Friendly Games: Salvation Studios will not promote gore, violence, or anti-Christian themes in its games.

    • Messages of Salvation and Evangelism: The games will teach players the core of the Christian faith: Salvation through Jesus Christ.

    • Salvation Studios will design its initial games to fill the need for online games that promote social networking by playing online with friends, and meeting other gamers.

  • Salvation Studios can develop new games for the PC and next generation consoles to capture early adopters.

  • Salvation Studios requires a professional development team, a strong game, and strong marketing efforts to reach both Christian and non-Christian markets.

References

1 - Entertainment Software Association http://www.theesa.com/

2 - Advertising in Computer Games  http://cms.mit.edu/research/theses/IlyaVedrashko2006.pdf

3 - LifeWay Gamer Generation Study http://www.lifeway.com/article/164915/

4 - USA TODAY http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2010-04-27-1Amillfaith27_ST_U.htm?csp=34

5 - LifeWay Research http://www.lifeway.com/article/170233/

6 - LifeWay Gamer Generation Study http://www.lifeway.com/article/164915/

7 - Christian Games Blog http://go.leftbehindgames.com/blog/bid/31015/Mental-Health-Benefits-of-Christian-Video-Games